Dear Cornerstone Family,
As I write these pastoral notes, the election of our next president is still up for grabs. Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Nevada are lightened shades of either red or blue. The percentage points of separation between Biden and Trump are miniscule at best. Regardless of how things ultimately shake out, there will not be a decisive victory for either candidate. Whoever wins will do so by the slimmest of margins, which tells us something we already knew. Our country is divided.
In a time like ours, there are many good biblical instructions to be offered. We should remember that God calls us to honor and submit to governing authorities (Romans 13), to render to Caesar the things that are Caesars (Mark 12), to labor for the public good and welfare of one’s city and nation (Jeremiah 29). These and many other teachings we should heed and take to heart.
Today, however, I want to briefly encourage us in the simplest and, arguably, the most important of our Christian civic duties—prayer. Paul writes to Timothy, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
Three quick observations from this text:
1. We are commanded to pray for our governing officials no matter who they are. When Paul wrote these words, he was contending with godless rulers who hated the church—who would mercilessly persecute Christians for centuries. Still, Paul tells us to pray for them. No matter who our president ends up being, let’s storm the gates of heaven for him, asking God to protect him, uphold him, and turn his heart toward the things of God (Prov. 21:1; Micah 6:8).
2. A prayer for governing officials is a prayer for the peace of the church. Notice how Paul ties a particular hope to this prayer. Pray so that “...we [the church] may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” Paul’s prayer for governing officials is directed toward a future of peacefulness, quietness, godliness, and dignity for the church. If we want to see religious freedom protected and the church protected from governmental intrusion, let’s hit our knees and boldly ask our Father for what we know he loves to give (Matt. 7:7-8).
3. A prayer for our governing officials is a prayer for the accomplishment of the great commission. In verse 4, Paul notes that when the church is given freedom by governing authorities to live out their faith in peace and preach the gospel openly, then more people hear the good news and come to a saving knowledge of the truth. If we want to see the tide of wickedness and division stemmed in our country, with more people coming to know Jesus Christ, let’s give the Lord no rest until he establishes the church and makes her the praise of all the earth (Isaiah 62:7; Rev. 21:1-4).
While we await the final word on our president, let’s start praying to the King of Kings for him. For whoever sits in the Oval Office needs Him who sits on the throne above more than anything else.
Your servant,
